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Book: Saraswati’s Intelligence
Author: Vamsee Juluri
Publisher: Westland
In India, since
childhood, the mythological stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana are ingrained
in us. We have grown up perceiving a certain character in a certain way,
without even giving a thought on the facts and fictions. Similarly, we have a
traditional image of Lord Hanuman established in our minds; while the author in
this book ‘Saraswati’s Intelligence’ has attempted to portray a different
picture, unconventionally.
When one talks of Hanuman,
we automatically relate it to Ramayana; the mythology sees him as a loyal and close
comrade to Lord Ram and a fearless fighter. But was he always as fearless? Was
devotion always an essential part of his character? Could the bhramachari hanuman too have a love
story?
“Everything you know of Hanuman is about to change”
This mythological fiction
ventures into complete different areas. It talks of an unheard story of Hanuman
depicting him in a very different light… as the synopsis says ‘before the dawn
of man there was Hanuman’.
This mythological
fiction is the first in the trilogy and marks the days of a teenage yet
determined Hanuman, who along with his guru Vishwamitra and cousin Sugreeva is
on an adventurous trail to unearth that deadly race of creatures, which poses
severe threat to Kishkindhavasis.
The plot gets
interesting when we enter the ‘enemy lines’ or when Hanuman goes in search of
the threat which is looming on the heads of kiskindhavasis.
Saraswati’s Intelligence is his story of the discovery of the righteous.
Talking about the
book, I have to mention that the description of events and scenes is so vivid
that I could clearly picturize the beautiful locations described; the musical
waterfall and Hanuman slowly gazing at the scenic beauty and enjoying the
nature in the troubled times too.
This mythological fiction
is essentially different than the others because the essence of that particular
era – Satayuga is marvelously retained. It is evident in the thought process of
people, which is all about creating and flourishing and not abolishing. The
goodness in the people binds them to follow the concept of ‘defeat, not destroy’.
The author has carved out a different level of understanding of the ‘pain’ of
the antagonist. It’s surprising!
This is not Ramayana,
having said that, some of the events do resemble the epic. It will be
interesting to wait and watch what the other two books have to offer.
Overall, I feel this
book is as good as a brief trip to the Satayuga.
You may read this book to discover the story of the Hanuman, we know nothing
about.
PS: So Mr. Juluri, I
wonder, if the creature mentioned in first book will shape up and becomes humans….curious to read more J
My rating: 4.5 Stars
We should not only read this book as a fiction but try and imbibe the good qualities mentioned in it.
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